2018 team preview: Wood Brothers Racing

What’s new: Menard joins up with Wood Brothers Racing as Blaney moves to Team Penske to be the team’s third Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver after his breakout 2017 year. Menard had spent the past seven seasons at RCR. Veteran crew chief Greg Erwin moves over from Team Penske – with that technical partnership still in place – to serve as the pit boss. He most recently served as the crew chief for the No. 22 Team Penske Ford, which won the Xfinity Series Owners’ title in 2017. The team also reached an agreement to secure a charter from Go Fas Racing for the 2018 season and beyond.

What to watch: Wood Brothers is one win away from 100 wins in the storied organization’s history. The Daytona 500 will serve as Menard’s 400th start in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. After seven years at RCR, Menard joins a new organization that is fresh off a run to the Round of 8 of the playoffs.

Key question(s): Can Menard carry forward the momentum established by Blaney with Wood Brothers? Is a fresh start just what Menard needs for a career resurgence? Will Menard snap his 232-race winless drought and earn win No. 100 for the Wood Brothers?

DRIVERS

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Paul Menard, No. 21 Menards Ford: After making the playoffs in 2015, Menard is coming off two straight seasons outside the top 20 in the standings. A move to Wood Brothers could serve as a catalyst for a resurgence for the veteran driver whose lone premier series win came at Indianapolis in 2011. “It’s going to take a little bit to work out a few bugs like it does with any new situation,” Menard said of his new team. “These first few races will be pretty important to open up communication and just be totally honest with each other, push each other and learn each other so that when the summer rolls around we’re ready to continue for top 10s, top fives and wins.”